Selenium and male infertility

The selenium containing selenoprotein glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPx4) is present in sperm cells at surprisingly high levels. Biochemists say that GPx4 carries out two functions in sperm cells. It protects the developing sperm calls against oxidative damage caused by toxic peroxides, and it contributes later to the structural integrity of the mature sperm cells [Strauss].Here is a little-known fact. Human testicles contain high concentrations of one of the important selenium containing antioxidant enzymes, the selenoprotein glutathione peroxidase number 4 (GPx4). Furthermore, the testicles have special receptors for another of the important selenoproteins, the selenoprotein P [Rayman 2012].

Adequate intakes of selenium for the synthesis of the selenoproteins are necessary to produce mature and viable sperm. The selenoprotein GPX4 seems to be indispensable:

to the development and maturation of the sperm cells

to the antioxidant protection of the sperm cells

to the structural cohesiveness of the sperm cells

to the motility and viability of the sperm cells [Foresta]

Selenium and semen quality
What are we talking about here? Let’s define some terms that are relevant to male fertility.

Our bodies produce semen by combining sperm cells from the testicles with various fluids from the seminal vesicles, the prostate, and the two small glands called Cowper’s glands. The semen needs to contain high counts of sperm cells – perhaps 200 million plus – and needs to contain sperm cells capable of good motility if one of the sperm cells is to succeed in reaching and fertilizing the mature female egg.

Motility is the biologists’ term for the ability of cells and organisms to use energy to move spontaneously and actively.

Selenium supplementation and semen quality
What do studies of selenium supplementation show? Is there an effect of selenium supplementation on the quality of the semen?

Dr. Safarinejad has tested the effectiveness of selenium supplementation in improving semen parameters in infertile men. His study enrolled 116 infertile men who received 200 micrograms of selenium daily and 118 infertile men who received a matching placebo for 26 weeks.

The men ranged in age from 25 to 48 years with a mean age of 31 years. The volume of the men’s testicles did not differ significantly from one group to the other.

At the start of the study, the researchers measured mean total sperm count, sperm concentration, semen volume, sperm motility, and sperm morphology as well as plasma selenium concentration and semen selenium concentration. They did not find any significant differences between the two groups [Safarinejad].

Increases in plasma selenium concentrationsAlready after one month of supplementation with selenium, the men’s plasma selenium concentrations increased significantly. The plasma selenium levels then remained constant for the remainder of the treatment period.

Increases in semen selenium concentrationsSemen selenium levels responded to the selenium supplementation somewhat more slowly, plateauing only after 12 weeks of supplementation.

Increases in sperm count and sperm motilityAt the end of the 26-week study, the researchers found that the supplementation with selenium had significantly increased the mean total sperm count compared with placebo. Similarly, after 26 weeks, the selenium supplementation was associated with a significant increase in mean sperm motility compared with placebo. This was good news.

In sum, daily supplementation with 200 micrograms of selenium significantly improved the semen parameters of infertile men. In the aggregate, the improvements amounted to a 30% increase in sperm count, a 19% increase in sperm motility and a 26% improvement in sperm morphology. Moreover, the researchers noted no adverse effects of the selenium supplementation.

The researchers continued to follow the study participants after the end of the 26-week period of supplementation. By week 56, with no more supplementation, the plasma selenium and semen selenium levels had reverted to baseline levels. The semen parameters also gradually reverted to baseline levels because the selenium supplementation had ceased.

A second study of selenium supplementation and semen motility
Dr. Scott, Dr. MacPherson, and their research colleagues conducted a randomized controlled study in which they assigned 69 men with low selenium status and low sperm motility to one of three study groups:

a selenium alone group

a group receiving selenium plus vitamins A, C, and E

a placebo group

The study participants took the supplements or placebo daily for 3 months. At the end of the study, the researchers tested the study participants’ plasma selenium status and semen quality once again.

Increases in sperm motilityBy the end of the study, the sperm motility of the participants in both selenium supplemented groups had increased whereas the sperm motility in the placebo group participants had declined slightly. However, the increases in sperm motility in the treated groups were not sufficiently high to be statistically significant.

When, however, the researchers combined the results from the two selenium-supplemented groups and compared the combined results with the results from the placebo group, then the selenium treatment was significantly associated with increased sperm motility.

Dr. Scott et al concluded that selenium supplementation can improve sperm motility in sub-fertile men who have low selenium status. In that way, selenium supplementation can improve the chance of successful conception.

Selenium supplementation is a simple and inexpensive remedy to male infertilityThe Safarinejad study and the Scott study show that selenium supplementation is a simple, safe, and relatively inexpensive method of improving the semen parameters of infertile men.

1989 Professor G.G. Duthie publishes evidence for a role of selenium in the prevention of cardiovascular disease

1993 Researcher W.J. Blot publishes the results of the Nutrition Intervention Trials in Linxian, China, showing that supplementation with a combination of selenium and other antioxidants reduces the risk of cancer

1994 Professor G.N. Schrauzer publishes evidence that selenium is important in the maintenance and therapy of HIV-infected patients

2002 Researcher Margaret Rayman presents the arguments for increasing selenium intakes to realize selenium’s antioxidant and anti-viral and anti-inflammatory effects as well as selenium’s enhancement of immune function and reproductive success.